I absolutely agree with the sentiment, however the scale of what you are suggesting is rather staggering, and it's a very long-term project. I'm also not sure how well it would work in actual practice- the problem for a lot of people in the third world isn't accessing books, it's survival. Having enough food at the end of the day. For those people, learning a language is generally very very low on their list of priorities. You would need to begin, first of all, with literacy. How many people in a given region will even be able to read their own language? Then, you will need textbooks for that language that teach Esperanto. Then you can begin to translate books into that language: Where There Is No Doctor would be a good example. Plus, you must convince these people, for whom the effort to learn a foreign language might mean a great deal of sacrifice (time away from making enough money to survive, paying for Esperanto books or lessons) to invest that time into Esperanto and not into a language which might get them a job.

I think if you *really* want to promote Esperanto, create job opportunities for it. Nothing will make the language spread like wildfire faster than making money. Being able to read some textbooks just isn't enough incentive for people who are poor.

RiotNrrd:It takes a few weeks to a few months to learn Esperanto. Let's make it worth that small amount of effort. Provide something that people who could use the info would otherwise have to learn English to understand (something which takes substantially longer).

My suggestion is about trying to create an incentive for people to learn the language: provide something they can use, in a language that's easy to learn.

The advantage of doing it in Esperanto rather than individual native languages is that it's more widely distributable geographically.

Vestitor:In particular less, much less, focus on sci-fi/fantasy. It may shock a section of the Esperanto community, but the majority of the world is not transfixed by deformed elves, zombified creatures, vampires or troll-like characters.

Quality sci-fi in the vein of J.G. Ballard or Will Self is far removed from the kind of dross usually passed off as science fiction.

I'll reiterate that Esperanto's perceived relationship to childish fantasy fiction keeps it in the realm of the mocked subculture.

Just to put in a word for another mocked subculture , and to answer the original question: I'd like to see at least one tabletop roleplaying game* translated into Esperanto. I play pen-and-paper rpgs quite a lot, including online, and if there was material in Esperanto it would be a fun way to practice the language with other learners who share this interest.

I'm interested in the suggestions above about distributing development materials in Esperanto, but probably agree that in the end an economic incentive to learn would be the big crowd-puller.

*Dungeons & Dragons etc

harlandski:Just to put in a word for another mocked subculture , and to answer the original question: I'd like to see at least one tabletop roleplaying game* translated into Esperanto. I play pen-and-paper rpgs quite a lot, including online, and if there was material in Esperanto it would be a fun way to practice the language with other learners who share this interest.

I'm interested in the suggestions above about distributing development materials in Esperanto, but probably agree that in the end an economic incentive to learn would be the big crowd-puller.

*Dungeons & Dragons etc

This would be a great thing for you to work on to practice your Esperanto. As a person who enjoys these games, it would be good incentive to finish the translation!

To respond to a comment made up a ways - I'm still not sure Esperanto is significantly associated in the public psyche with "childish fantasy fiction". Again, most people seem to not know anything at all about it, especially the younger generations. A few people seem to think EO is in the realm of Navi and Klingon, but I would question whether this is a widespread view.

Also - what exactly is wrong with childish fantasy fiction? What is so bad about children's interests... Sure, some of it is rather crass, but so is most modern literature.

Eccentrics of the world, unite! And learn Esperanto. I for one enjoy speaking with fellow "maltipuloj".

(This message is intended to be light-hearted.)

erinja:This would be a great thing for you to work on to practice your Esperanto. As a person who enjoys these games, it would be good incentive to finish the translation!

The thought had cross my mind - thank you for the encouragement. There are some very short rule sets, which I might be able to translate even at my level of Esperanto! Is there any etiquette on lernu.net about asking for more able speakers to proofread translations?

Tempodivalse:Also - what exactly is wrong with childish fantasy fiction? What is so bad about children's interests... Sure, some of it is rather crass, but so is most modern literature.

Eccentrics of the world, unite! And learn Esperanto. I for one enjoy speaking with fellow "maltipuloj".

(This message is intended to be light-hearted.)

I agree! (lightheartedly and non-confrontationally

harlandski:Just to put in a word for another mocked subculture , and to answer the original question: I'd like to see at least one tabletop roleplaying game* translated into Esperanto. I play pen-and-paper rpgs quite a lot, including online, and if there was material in Esperanto it would be a fun way to practice the language with other learners who share this interest.

I'm interested in the suggestions above about distributing development materials in Esperanto, but probably agree that in the end an economic incentive to learn would be the big crowd-puller.

*Dungeons & Dragons etc

I'm sure you'll enjoy drakoj.ikso.net.

Mutusen:I'm sure you'll enjoy drakoj.ikso.net.

Ho jes! Super motivating Esperanto reading for me, and it looks like a fair basis to actually play. Dankon, Mutusen!

I have some content (numerous short articles) in Esperanto, on topics outside of Esperanto. You can access them here.

sudanglo:Good translations of thrillers. Some Esperanto-subtitled TV programs would be nice too.

Chandler's essay 'The Simple Art of Murder' might interest you. You can access it here.